Yesterday, Today, Forever-

What are we going to do today? I know that I have my own plans perfectly laid out; there is so much on my to-do list. But my heart’s desire is to follow your plans for my life. Lord, surprise me with out-of-the-ordinary adventures. Using my time to discover more about who I am, trying desperately to understand the inner workings of my soul, dwelling on my weaknesses and my need to be transformed, is an exercise in futility.  Spending my time in discovering more about you Lord, all your wonderful attributes, will assuredly produce by your Holy Spirit the transformation I seek. Life is not about how you fit into my story, but rather how my life fits into the story of God with humanity. Though each new day reveals another facet of you, we will never exhaust it all. You are awesome, worthy of awe! Thank you for showing me the direction of my journey one step at a time. Your plans for my life are perfect. Your provisions for the trip are wonderful. Your promises are tried an...

The pastor made comments about the lovely flower arrangements decorating the front of the church. He used them as an excellent illustration about being real! They looked deceptively real, but were in fact artificial, fake, and phony. Not all things, or people for that matter, are the real thing. Imitations are passed off as the real thing everywhere one goes. Fake flowers and fake people can deceive us, but thankfully not for long. Counterfeit coins or counterfeit Christians – neither can be taken at face value. Being totally acquainted with the real thing, however, will give us the discernment to know when something or someone is fake! As I mulled over this picture, other thoughts crowded my mind. In our sanctuary, there is no access to natural light streaming in through beautiful, wide or stained glass windows. Even a child knows that without natural light real plants cannot grow. The reason we don’t have too many windows is probably because we fear they would invite vandalism...

Check this out: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/photos/Gallery+Thunderstorm/5119281/story.html

It's cousins week around here!  I'll be taking a two week break!  I'll try to catch up with everyone when I return or when I have a few moments in the evening! Have a happy week  and  God bless you!

Thank you for the robin's song That sings so sweetly in the trees. Thank you for the warmth of sunshine The light caresses of each breeze! Thank you for the bright blue sky The soothing green upon the hill! Thank you for the fragrant flowers, The babbling brook down by the mill. Thank you for the love of family, Abundant joy, each morning new! Thank you for the joy of friendships, All good things, God, come from you! Thank you that you send upon us Awesome blessings every day! Thank you that You are my Father! You'll never leave me, come what may! © Karin Ristau

I had been wronged and mistreated, I had been shamed and rejected There was bitterness threatening to throttle my soul. I’ve been sad and lonely; feeling discouraged. Is there no escape? Is there no one who cares? I felt I’d been dropped down a bottomless hole. Yet, hidden away where only God sees, In the intimate depths of my heart I had never lost sight of His Almighty Hand! HE brought me down, so I would look up! He did something new and exciting! He took all my crutches so I’d learn to stand! I confessed all my sins, admitted my needs, I was honest and humble, and in meekness down On my knees, I declared my TOTAL DEPENDENCE on HIM. My circumstances had stayed much the same, But as I waited in patience for His leading, I realized it’s me who had been changed from within. God is gracious to all; His wings give safe refuge! O taste and see that the Lord is good! Exalting His Name, my heart soars and sings! Faith and love became stronger, driving out fear; ...

Married July 2, 1966 It poured buckets and was very hot and humid in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the German Baptist Mission Church on our wedding day. Not once did the sun peek through! Showers of blessing someone said! Our out-door photo sessions had to be cancelled.  We had to get dressed up again on Sunday for the casual photo shoot at the City Park.  We did have some portraits done in a studio. However, I had signed us up with a young and still inexperienced photographer and our photos had shadows and so on and so on.  Not such a great start – but we took it all in stride.  We had each other and that is all that mattered.  So, here’s one photo from that memorable day! The verse our pastor, my uncle, gave us to lead our lives together was Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Our focus was to be JESUS! While we don't live in the past, YESTERDAY , we love to go down memory lane to visit. We live in the present, TODAY , a...